Rockport Avior or Magico S5

I'm as much to blame as Ctsooner for taking this in a tangent direction. I just thought it would help the OP see my course of listening to several speakers - Lansche, Magico, Vandersteen and Rockport before deciding on Rockports and why.

Ctsooner - if you would like, just PM me through Audiogon and we can continue to discuss my Vandersteen experience.

Phil,will do.Some get touchy if you don't talk about their gear, lol. Guys, it's easy to steer any thread back on track by posting about the two speakers he asked about. Based on his comments it seems as though he should probably open himself up to a few others in that range and others have said the same. I wonder which speakers would have the best synergy with his other components.

I dont know how much you are willing to spend Sir but as you said you listen most to rockmusic - I am a rock lover too - then I definitely recommend you to listen to a pair of q3. If you are intending to buy a new pair s5 then an exdemoed or used-as new pair of q3 would be far more superior to you.

I am using the q5 and everyone who heard they play rock music was stunned about the dynamic and lifelike presentation. I did listen to the rockport akkaris mk2 but I do not really like the 'big sounding' of those speakers although they are truly superb.

I have not heard the avior so dont know how they sound.

So as many others pointed out, home audition is the best for you to decide which ones are the most relevant speakers.

Interesting reads. The Magico neutrality is well known. The Rockport is harder to come by for auditioning. I haven't heard the Rockport, and interested to know whether it sounds thick and warm, like the older Sonus Faber, perhaps a bit lacking in clarity and sparkle?

I've heard them a few times in the last 6 months or so.  Different gear and different rooms.  They aren't thick or warm to me.  I thought it was a large presentation.  Sounded very good I thought.  I wouldn't buy them as I like a couple of others in their ranges, but many love them and I can easily understand why.